Packaging toric articles



W. M. WHEILDON AND E. ANGZE PACKAGING TORIC ARTICLES. APPLlCATlON FILED MAR. 22. 19:7.

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W. M. WHEILDON AND E. H. ANGIER.

PACKAGING TORIC ARTICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1917.

1,366,547. Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Wtiii'daan M. 'Wfi/ea'Zdon.

W. M. WHEILDON AND E. H. ANGIER.

PACKAGING TORIC ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.22. 1917.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.-

831%?) was Edward H flu 71 i 9 ZLi/am 1M7 aim in w. M. WHEIILDON AND E. H. ANGIER.

PACKAGING TORIC ARTICLES. APPLIVCAHON FILED MAR.22 I917.

1,366,547, 7 Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- IZQ/UEZi /z'QWS Edward 4H1 Wiam b widen,

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' WILLIAM M. WHEILDON, OF ASHLAND, AND EDWARD H. ANGIER, OF FRAMINGHAM,

MASSACHUSETTS; SAID WHEILDON ASSIGNOR TO SAID ANGIER.

' .IACKAGING TORIG ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

- and Framingham, respectively, in the county of Middlesex andCommOnwealth of Massachusetts, have invented" an Improvement in Packaging Toric Articles, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specifica-- tion, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. r

This invention relates to the alt ofpackaging toric articles. By this we refer to articles which may be considered as SOlldS generated by the revolution of a plane figure about an axis in its own plane and thus having a longer outer dimension and a shorter inner dimension. As an example of such articles we may mention the shoe of a pneumatic vehicle tire in which case the revolution is a complete one and the-article is annular in form. The purpose of our invention is to provide an improved method of wrapping such articles with an inclosing covering of paper or similar material and one form of mechanism by means of which the method may be expeditiously practised. For convenience in description we shall.

refer to the article operated on as a tire,

using this wordin an exemplary sense as typifying various articles of toric form.

Our invention may best be understood by reference to'the following description taken in connection with the accompanymg draw- 7 ings, wherein.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an illus-' trative form of machine constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal section through the same, with parts brokenaway;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the number 17 being in dotted-line position; 1

Fig. 4 is a plan View showing the power transmission mechanism; .and

Fig. 5 is a section through a tire'wrapped by the machine shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

The method of wrapping tires which in connection with the operations which 'and left-hand threads respectively ently to be described. forms a part of our invention is exemplified I they perform. For the sake of brevity we shall, therefore, first describe the construction of the machine and the manner of its operation. The operation of wrapping the tire is commenced with parts of the mechanlsm in the dotted-line position shown in F 1. The mechanism there shown is carried by a framework embodying an annular frame 7 and two standards 9. The standards 9 form bearings for shaftsll and 13 respectively which carry at their proximate ends the circular disks 15 and 17 The shafts 11 and 13 are threaded with right at their distal ends, which threaded portions cooperate with nut-like portions 19 on frame pieces 21 connectedand held against rotatal seat29 upon which a tire may be placed position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. l

in the The two disks 15 and 17, among other functions, are supports for the tire during the wrapping operation. Their particular structure can best be understood by reference to Fig. 2 wherein itis seen that the disks are provided with fingers 31 having beveled ends and adapted to fit together in staggered relation, the recesses between the fingers being so formed that when the two disks are together with the fingers mating,

a smooth surfacewill be presented to sup port the tire. Each of the disks has a flange 33 adapted to engage the tire beads in such manner that the cooperating disks will form a structure somewhat similar to the tire holding rim of a wheel as will be readily understood by inspection of Fig. 3. The

disks also have outwardly extending and laterally flaring wing portions 35 having at their outer edges seats 37 for a purpose pres- Means are provided for moving the two members 15 and 17 toward and from each invention the disks are power driven. For

' manner as to permit the shafts to slide relawill probably promote a ready understand- I tively to the wheels, but to causefthe wheels to rotate the shafts. Power is applied to the shafts from any suitable source herein typified by. an electric motor 43.; The transmission'mechanism is best shown inFigs. 2, 3

and 4, and we shall herein refer more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 in describing the same. The sprockets 39 are connected by suitable chains with driving sprockets ona shaft 45. -Surrounding this shaft but normally free to turn with respect thereto, are

two clutch drums 47 and 49 continuously driven from the rotor of the motor. In the present embodiment of the invention the drum 47 is drivenby a geared connection and the drum 49 is driven in the opposite direction by a chain. Each of the drums is formed with a concave frusto-conical surface adapted to coiiperate with one of the similar convex surfaces 51 on a sliding clutch member 53 splined' on. the shaft 45 as best shown in Fig. 3. The sleeve may be moved to the right or left as desired by 'means of the lever .55 carried by a rock shaft 57 and controlled by the pedal member 59. If one .side of the pedal is depressed the shaft will be clutched to the drum 47 and driven in one. direction, whereas if the other side is depressed the shaft will be clutched with the drum 49 and its motion reversed. When the shafts 11 and 13 are rotated, the parts 19 will act as nuts and the two disks 15 and 17 will be fed toward or from each other, as the case may be.

Having. thus described certain parts of the mechanism of the machine shown, it

ing thereof to describe the function of these arts, Referring, therefore, particularly to ig. 1, supposing the parts to be in the position shown in dotted'lines, the the a, assembled with an interior, circumferential strip 7) preferably gummedf on its inner face,'is. placed in position on the seat 29 between the two disks 15 and 17. The pedal 59 is .then depressedto-clutch shaft 45 to the motor and cause the two disks 14 and 15 to approach each other. Itwill be noted by reference to this figure that the disk is somewhat eccentric to the tire mounted on the seat 29. The beveled fingers 31, however,

will enter the interior of the tire, lift the same from the seat 29 and center it. The motion of the disks 15 and 17 continues until the fingers 31 have nested and the flan es 33 have engaged the beads of the tire in t e manner shown in Fig. 3.

The next step is toapply a strip of by an angular extension 62 of said arm opposite the extension 27 The end of the paper is' drawn from the roll 61 and held in position against the seats 37. The arm 24 may then be unlatched by rocking the catch 25 and the roll rotated about the tire supported by the disks 15 'and 17 to wrap astrip in position on seats 37 and in complete encircling relation to the tire. When this is done the paper may be cut by means of the knife 63 and the ends, if desired, temporarily secured. At this stage of the operation thetire a has been assembled with the materials for wrapping it including an inner strip 6 and the encircling wrapper strip a, and all these parts are in position on a suitable holder in readiness for the opera-' tion of suitable mechanism thereon to shape the wrapping material about the tire and to complete the package.

The next step in the operation of the ma-' chine is to bring the strip-encircled tire into operative relation to the I devices which wrap the edges of the strip about the sides of the tire, which devices herein are carried by the annular frame 7. To permit this to' be done, the support formed by the two disks 15 and 17, together with their shafts and the connecting frames 21, may be shifted as a whole in the bearing standards encircling the same as there illustrated. In 7 the present embodiment of the inventionthe strip 6 is folded about the tire by wiping devices which shape the paper to the crosssection of the tire at a plurality of points spaced about the tire circumference and the fullness of the paper between these points is thereafter smoothed out into the form of plaits. Herein a plurality of wiping devices are carried by the annular frame 7 and arranged tooperate simultaneously in substantially radial planes. In the illustrative machine the devices are moved in and .out in plane's which are exactly radial, but

it will be understood that the motion is not so strictly limited.

The'wiping devices may embody spring yokes '67 of a form corresponding substantialy to the cross-sectional contour of the tire and mounted on rods 69 extending radially through the frame 7. The rods 69 are provided with teeth 71 forming racks and adapted to mesh with a spiral thread 73 (see movement is halted and the manipulated to draw the disks 15 and 17 'ference.

Fig. 3) on a ring 75 in-set in the side of the frame 7. When the ring 75 is rotated the spiral, acting on the racks, will. move the wipers in or out according; to the direction of "rotation of the ring. he mechanism is similar to the well-known scroll chuck.

The ring 75 may have exterior spur teeth and be driven from a pinion 77 mounted on a shaft 79. In Fig. 4 the transmission mechanism for drivin the pinion shaft is most clearly shown. runls 81 and 83' are mounted loosely on the shaft and driven in opposite directions by belts connected to the drums 47 and49 which, it will be remembered, are constantly driven in opposite directions from the rotor of motor 43. The drums 81 and 83 have conical cavities adapted to coiiperate with the conical clutch surfaces on sleeve 85 which-slides on shaft 79. The sleeve 85 may be shifted along the shaft by yoke 87 on rock shaft 89 which is controlled by pedal 91. The mechanism is similar to that controlling the shaft 45. By

clutching the shaft to one or the other of the .drums 81 and 83, the pinion. may be rotated in either direction desired to move the wipers 67 inwardly or outwardly.

Referring again to Fig. 2 it is clear as the wipers 67 approach the center they will fold the paper strip cabout the tire a shap ing it thereto at various points to its circum- Because of the shorter circumference of the tire at the bead, as compared with the tread, there will be a certain fullness of wrappin I materialbetween the sev- Y W en the wipers have been eral points. brought to their innermost position, their edal 59 is next apart. The tire will remain suspended in the'same position, being sustained by the members 67 clamped thereabout. The Withdrawal of the disks will permit edges of the ap'er strip to project inwardly beyond the heads of the tire. O portunity is taken at this time to moisten tiie adhesive face of the strip 6 and the pedal 59 is then manipulated to close the disks 15 and 17 once again. In this movement the fingers 31 will engage the projecting edges of the strip 0 and fold them inwardly over the beads ofthe tire and into contact with the sticky face of the strip 7) thus completing the wrapping about the tire and forminga sealed package. It willbe noted that the disks 15 and 17 as they approach each other have a rotary motion in the same sense. Consequently, the flanges 33 will'wipe along the sides of the tire with a circumfei'ential rubbing motion and will,

* completed as described, the wipers 67 may be withdrawn, the support comprising the disks 15 and 17 shifted away from the annular frame, the disks drawn apart, and the tire removed.

It may be noted that the power of the motor 43 is applied to the various parts of the mechanism through frictional transmission devices so that there is opportunity for slip at the end of each phase of the machines motion. Consequently, each step of the process may be thoroughly followed out without any danger of breakage.

In Fig. 5 we have shown a tire which has been wrapped according to the improved method exemplified by this machine. Referring to that figure it will be seen that the tire a is inclosed by the strip 0 which is of a width substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional perimeter of the tire, the

strip 0 being folded inwardly about the sides 'of packaging tires or similar articles which might be carried out by various mechanisms. The'one which is illustrated is merely an example of [many mechanical structures which might be devised and as regards the machine itself the structural details are obviously capable of considerable modification without departure from the spirit of the invention.

WVhat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, means to support a tire by engagement with the inner circumference thereof and wiping means movable in and out in spaced, substantially radial planes to fold a strip of paper inwardly about the cross-section of the tire and shape the same thereto.

2. In a device of the class described, means to support a tire by engagement with the inner circumference thereof, means temporarily to support a strip of paper in encircling relation thereto, and wiping means movable in and out in spaced, sub

circumference thereof, means to draw a strip of paper into encircling relation to the same. and wiping means movable in and out in spaced, substantial radial planes to fold the strip about the cross-section of the tire from cumference and shape the same thereto.

5. In a device of the class described,

means to support a tire by engagement with a circumference thereof, and wiping devices comprising spring members substantially conforming to the cross-section of the tire, and means for moving them in and out substantially radially to fold a strip of paper about the tire from the other circumference and shape the same thereto.

6. In a device of the class described, means for suspending a tire by engagement with the inner circumference thereof, means to fold a paper strip inwardly about a tire by pressingthe same to the transverse cur .vature thereof at a series of circumferentially spaced points, and meansto, smooth into folds the resultant fullness of 1 the paper between successive points. v 71 A device of the class described com prising a support for the tire adapted to suspend the same by e agement'with a cir cumference thereof, an a centric group of coradially movable wiping members for folding a wrapper thereabout from the other circumference.

8. In .a machine for wrapping tires an annular frame having radially movable wipers to fold a strip about the cross section of a tire and a pair of members having annularportions adapted to approach one another across a circumference of the tire and means for moving them in and out to infold the edges-of-the strip across that circumference.

9. A device of the class described comprising a temporary support for the tire adapted to position it in the horizontal direction, and a supporting device comprising circular clamping plates to engage the tire on either side movable toward and fromthe plane of said temporary support and being disposed eccentrically to the tire thereon 10. A machine of the class described comrising a centric group of members operablesubstantially in radial planes to fold a strip of paper about a circumference and the sides of a tire, and members applicable to the sides of the tire to fold the edges of said strip toward one another at the other circumference, said members having a rotary motion whereby to contract the fullness of the paper about the tire.

11. A machine of the class described comprising means interiorly engaging a tire to support the same with a paper strip encircling the same, and means for shaping the strip thereabout comprising wiping mechanism arranged for operating motion inwardlyat spaced points about the circumference dfthe tire and circumferentially of the sides thereof.-

12. A machine of the class described comprising a tire supportfor holding a tire by engagement with a circumference thereof, a device for encircling the same with a strip of paper, a device for folding the paper strip about the cross-section of the tire, and means for moving relatively said support and said two devices for presenting the tire on the former to either of the latter.

- 13. A machine of the class described comprising a support for the tire having lateral wing portions temporarily to support a paper strip in encircling relation to the tire, the support being divided to provide portions applicable to the tire from opposite sides, said ortions being arranged for relative to-an -fro movement.

14:. A machine of the class described comprising a support for the tire having lateral wing portions temporarily to support a paper strip in encircling relation to the tire, and centripetally movable fingers to fold the strip inwardly about the tire.

15. A machine of the class described Coma prising an annular frame, means for supporting a tire concentrically of the same, wiping devices carried by the frame, and a scroll fonanoving the same.

16. In a device of the class described, the combined supporting and folding device comprising opposed members having beveled fingers adapted to interfit in staggered relation, the spaces between said fingers being formed to cooperate therewith to provide a smooth tire-supporting surface.

17. In a device of the class described, the two supporting members each having a portion laterally to engage the tire bead and a part to extend beneath the head, said latter portions having cooperating fingers adapted to nest in staggeredrelation, and means for causing relative movement of approach and recession between said members.

, 18. A machine of the class described comprising devices operable to fold a paper strip about the sides of a tire, said devices being adapted to sustain the partly wrapped tire, and means for folding the edges of the strip .inwardly toward one another transversely to the plane of the tire.

19. A machine of the class described comprising opposed circular members adapted to cooperate to form a support for the tire, devices operable to fold a paper strip about the tire, said devices being adapted to sustain the partly wrapped tire, and means for moving the members to and from one another whereby they may be utilized both as a support and as folding members.

20. A machine of the class described comprising opposed circular members adapted to cooperate to form a support for the tire, wiping. devices operable at spaced points about the tire to fold a paper strip'thereabout, said devices being adapted to sustain the partly wrapped tire, and means to give said members a combined motion of rotation and of reciprocation toward and from one another.

21. A machine of the class described comprising a pair of members movable toward and from each other and adapted to support a tire by engagement with the inner circumference thereof to permit a strip to be folded about the tread and sides of the tire and means for engaging the exterior of the tire for supporting the same independently of' said members.

22. A machine of the class described comprising means for supporting the tire by engagement with the inner circumference thereof, means movable inwardly over the tire sides to fold a strip about the tread thereof and means to withdraw said supporting means and fold the strip in over the interior circumference of the tire.

23. A machine of the class described comprising means for folding both edges of an encircling strip inwardly over the sides and toward the center of the tire and means for thereafter folding the edges axiallyinwardly toward each other over the inner circumference of the tire.

24. The method of wrapping tires, comprising the following steps: encircling the tire exteriorly with a strip substantially corresponding in width to the cross-sectional perimeter thereof, simultaneously shaping the strip thereto'at spaced points about the circumference, smoothing out the fullness between said points, and joining the strip edges.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

WILLIAM M. XVHEILDON. EDWARD H. ANGIER. 

